How Old Are the Oldest HBS MBA Students?

The age of HBS students is a popular topic of conversation in many forums (also see here and here). The general trend is towards students in the < 27 age range, but does that mean getting an MBA from HBS when you’re in your mid to late 30s, or even in your 40s is an impossibility? Or is it just that HBS has very few qualified applicants in those age ranges? There are those who advocate getting an MBA when you’re in your 40s as being perhaps the most valuable point in your career at which to do so. I can see why HBS would focus on younger students, but the question is whether they flatly rule out students in the 40+ range. I have friends who have attended HBS and told me they had students in their classes who were over 40, but of course this is mere rumor. Perhaps those students were only 30 but appeared to be 40 due to 10 years working in investment banking.

I suspect HBS would never state that they rule out anyone and would invite anyone who wants to attend to apply, regardless of their chances. In fact, a query I sent today to the Admissions Office Director’s blog with this text “I’ve seen all sorts of data on the average and median ages of HBS MBA students, but on one end of the graph it generally says ‘30+’ and leaves it at that. But I’ve heard from past students that there were occasionally MBA students in their classes who were in their 40s. Is this an urban legend, or is it possible to be accepted to HBS at a 40+ age?” received this response:

Joshua,
Thank you for your inquiry.

The Admissions Board evaluates candidates’ academic and professional performance regardless of their chosen school, company or endeavor. The Board also evaluates candidates’ demonstrated leadership ability.

Please be advised that age is not a criteria for admission to the MBA Program. Candidates must determine if the program would be appropriate for them. To refer to a class profile: www.hbs.edu/mba/profiles/classprofile.html.

Thank you for your interest in the MBA Program.

MBA Admissions
Harvard Business School
Boston, MA 02163
www.hbs.edu/mba

In other words, they’re not going to answer that question. But what does the data say? The graphs tend to not give us much detail, other than to state the number of students who are in the 30+ age range (which is a very small number). Does anyone have factual evidence of the inclusion or exclusion of HBS students in the 40+ age range?